MALTBY — A collision that killed three people on Highway 522 near Maltby on June 16 was caused by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The 24-year-old Monroe man has since been issued a traffic infraction for second-degree negligent driving, trooper Mark Francis said. Criminal charges are not expected.
The man’s 1-year-old daughter, Isabella Rose Bednarski, died from injuries sustained in the head-on crash.
Two others killed were Stanley and Joan Kinger, 79 and 76, of Redmond.
The crash happened just after 3 p.m. near the highway’s intersection with Fales Road.
The Monroe man was eastbound in a gray 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, according to a State Patrol memo. He suddenly drove onto the westbound shoulder, struck a construction barrel and overcorrected.
The Mitsubishi then struck a westbound 2007 Ford Fusion.
Witnesses told police the man appeared to be driving normally in the moments leading up to the crash.
Joan Kinger died at the scene.
Stanley Kinger and Isabella died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The Monroe man also was hospitalized in intensive care after the crash.
Investigators found no evidence that drugs, alcohol or cellphone use were involved in the crash.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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